Rail joint



Nov; 1o, 1931. A. B. CLARK RAIL JOINT Filed Deo. l5, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet. l

A. B. CLARK Nav. 1o, 1931.'

Filed Dec. 5 19301 4 Sheets-Sheet, 2

@EMHK RAIL JOINT Filed Def?la l5, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet, 4

IML z only.

as might be splice bars Patented Nev. 10, 1931 UNITED STATES immun n. Umax, or memoir,

' aan. .Toner` lApplication tiled December 15, 1830. Serial No. 502,378.

My invention relates to joints; for rail ends as used in track service.

ne purpose of the invention is to secure the combined bowed transverse splice bar section and splice bar contact with the railsv at spaced intervals A. further purpose is to concentrate splice bar pressure against rail ends at the joint by reducing the contact areas and to use the higher pressures secured to vertically spread an outwardly bowed bar web.

In spaced-contact splice bar and rail joint l construe ion a further purpose is to use a erted through the bolts.

Further purposes will appear in the specification and in the claims.

have preferred to illustrate my invention y a number of forms for the purpose of emphasizing the broad suitabilit of the invention for use with a great variety of lishin conditions, showing the' invention to be su stantially independent of the character of engagement between the bar and rail and of the means by which spacing of bar and rail contacts is effected and Without any thouvht of attempt to illustrate all the forms in which it may be used. i

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a rail joint embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse section in osition corresponding to a central section o Figure 1, showing one structure which may beused in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section perspective of a joint showing an outwardly bowed splice bar such used in Figure 1. Flgure 4 is a side elevation of a splice' bar diiering from that shown in Figures 1, 2 an 3.

Figure 5 is a transverse section of a rail joint used for illustrative purposes.

Figures 6-16 are transverse sections of in position about end rail elevations intended to illustrate the fact that my advantages of outwardly Naw JEasEY licablel to indeiiiiitel invention is ap ar and rail contact condil rge varietyo tions.

Figures17-19 are transverse sections correspondin with Figures 6-16, but vfor the purpose o showing variations in the means of effecting .bar contact with spaced points. In the drawings similar numerals indicate like parts.

, AMy'invention is directed to ajoint strucever, to be diagrammatic and it to indicate that the hars of must secure the spacings suclia character of relief. different means is now available. The rails 20,20 and is not intendthese figures of theircontacts by and 26 at the top and 23,'24, 25? and 26 at 'the rails at the bar, securing all of 1 is a side elevation and is n- Quite a number of bars 21,-22 are shown l* in Figure 1 as making contactat 23, 24,25

the bottom due to the pressure of bolts 27. No

contact is made along the intermediate sections 28.

For simplicity the four-boltjoint is shown notwithstanding that the invention can, of

in a joint using more bolts.

course, be used Eachofthesplicebarsmay be pf any bowed transverse section and type which quite a number are hereinafter illus.

contact, of

trated and of rwhich 29, 30'are taken in Figure 3 as typical. Because offthe outward bowing ofthe crosssection pressure of the bolts will have a tendency to bend (straighten) the web andtoincreasethewidth (height) of the bars.

PATENT `4 ori-"ics `y t verse'increase of s .but that in a rail joint the differences l bolts las would be true of any bars which aretuv Inthe A v resent purposes may small, between effective contact and poor contact 1 represent a very slight diierence splice bar? transversely between points 'Y d that the total'aniount'of transverse dingyand therefore the transe bar height, will be very hei ht.y Figures 1,' -2 and 3 the bolts are placed 1nl splice bars,

become effective except as the bowed section transverse bendin 1n meets resistance,'th Figures 1-3 will be concentrated at t ose .portions of the lengtm of the bars where the top and bottom contacts occur. The bowed structure in between the contact pointscwill be bentexceptas they may be flex the bars bodily opposite the therefore not a tendency to unsupportedwithin this section rll`he transverse y eatly nding away -of the bars because bea1ns.jY

The is transmitted withl great advantage through thebeam-like portions which do not engage the railto-those ortions of the bars which l are'in contact with the rail heads and flanges respectively, concentrating the pressure at `these po' ts of reactive restraint of the tops stiffensthem against, such lateral the bowed sections act as and bottomsiof th bars by the rail heads'and y In Fi the pressure much more d vbe the case where the bars are4 in contact with lthe rail throughout the bar lengths. 1 v l' form 'of Figure '4, 'differing -in this from FiguresgL-, the vbolt holes are located between the bars and rails, reducing the-need of beam action in the supported bar sections between the bolt holes because the bolts more 'directly bear upon the portions of the bars withwhich'rail contact is made. In 'Figure 5, for reference purposes, I have l designated parts `of the fishing surfaces ofthe rail 32 beneath the head and above theiange by diiferet characters in order to indicate more easily than would otherwise be the case the complete independence of my present inventi'on 'of the points of engagement of splice bars with the rail heads and flanges. For this purpose the rail shown is taken as the widely` variant railsections which are 1n' its fishing contour this rail typical .of

use, in that within has fillet `surfaces 31 -and 32'which for present `purposes are indicated as extending between lmes AA and B, A', B; inner shing.

head and flange surfaces 33' and 34 which for befindicated .as lying tween lines B and C,`Band C; and outer potions which, longitudinally of the lie between the contacts 23 and 24v i at the one end and 25` and 26 on the-other.

"InFi bowed character of the bars, however, .The extent of surface engaged by bar 39 de-I from the planes ofthe length ofuthefbolts"V `Figures vly at difference,

A my invention for use inany variations of initial contact or drawing `engagement with these several different surfaces. Elsewhere the suitability for use with. splice bars havand flange surfaces 35 and 36 ing different characters of relief between contact points will also be ointed out.

37 and 38, 39 and 40 are shown having initial engagement of the bars with the fillet surfaces 31 `and 32 alone in Figure 6l and either initially -'or ultimately (when transversely expanded) having engagement of bars 39 and 40 with one or' both'of surfaces 33 and 34 or/and'35 and 36,- lAt 41 in bar 40 the head and base of the bar are relieved to indicate that contact may be had with surfaces 35 and 36.while avoiding Contact with surfaces 33 and 34.

'pends upon the'extent to which the contour ofthe head and base ofthe bar follow that of ythe head and iian of the rail. `With the disclosure herein t is can lbe varied by the designer.` Y

' y In FiguresS- and 9 initially,and in Figure 10 after pressure is applied to the bowedsphce bars, the bars 42 and '43,44 and 45, 46 and 47 are'intended to make contact with surgures 6 and 7 fil et-bearing splice bars faces 33 and 34 of the rail, allowing both .top

36 and is intended to 'continue and in Figure 10 the contact startsA at sur# over all or part of surfaces 33 and 34of the s lice bar has been taken out b pressure ci) the bolts. The splice bars of t ese figures, therefore, have in common ashingrange inwardboth upper and lower e' ges of thebar,A as well a's the bowing of the bar.-

. .In Figures 11,12 Aand is timeestatiI 49,50

and 51, 52 and 53 have thesame neral relationin their fishing contacts an movements as the bars in Figures 8,: 9 and`10 with the however, that bars 48-53 all engage initially in the fillets between the rail heads and webs, namely in s aces 31, being ofwhat is called familiarly a cad-free type. The loweriianges of the bars mayrmake lishing contact corresponding with that of both ends in Figures-8, 9 and 10, namelyinitially en aging a large art of in igure'11, init1ally and finally .en aging surface 34 only in Figure 12 and initi y eng'fsurface 36 only with subsequent ex -fpansi'on into contact ,with surface 34 also in Figure 1-3.

In Figures 14, 15 and 16 conditions are resurfaces 34y and i 1,831,112?, ,A l 3 versed` as compared with Figures 11, 12 and 'In'lligure 17 the lateral surfaces of the 13 in that the lower flanges of the splice bars heads and bases of the splice bars 58 and '59 52 and 5.3, 54 and 55, 56 and -57 make contact have been projected at 64 and 65--the 'interwith the fillets 32' between rail'jlanges and mediate portions relativel pushed back at' rail webs andthe fishing surfaces are wholly 66 and 67--so that all of t e deformation of 7oat the top, corresponding in the lishin enf.- -the bar is lateral-and takes place at the heads gagements atte top in these figures wit the and bases. l a hshing engagements at the bottom in Figures `In .Fi ure 18 the deformation of the con' 11 12 and 13. Thus in Figure 14 thereis tours of ars 60 and 61 is almost wholly verinitial engagement over a considerable railgeftical, the portions 68 and 69 which engage l surfaces 33 and 35; eng ement initi y the rail' head and flange being higher and and finally with surface 33 on yin Figure 15; lower respectively, than the intermediate and initial engav ement under the outer part non-enga0ing portions 7 0 and 71. of the rail headg with 'ultimate engagement 'It will be seen in Figure 18 that the deforv with surfaces 33 and 35 when the pressure mation of the bar contour is confined to the' 30 1 -has been applied in Figure 16.

head and base flanges. In all of the '.forms it will be evident that In Figure19 the bars 62 and 63 have been any cross section of splice bar may be used warped laterally throughout the entire with or without enlarged anffes,.or with the heights of the bars, iving an effect generalflanges, where of considerab el size, of MW l similar to that in i e 17, but extending 35 desired shape, provided the transverse web the-surfaces 720i the ars inwardl toward section besuch that lateral ressurewill tend the web of the rail throughout't e entire lto straighten out and vertically en and the inner sides of the splice bars-to a greater exbar' and that any character 0f ra1 may be tent than the intermediate portions 73 of the used. l' splice bars. v

in the iishin space of the yrailin Figurev 5A the pressure upon the ortions of the splice have been a opted for convenience of debars which engage wit the rail heads and scription there and in the other lires and flanges is reatly increased per-unit areab 'are not intended to have an har and fast reducing t e, areas ofl c ontactand that. the 35 5 of relief of the splice bar from'contact with limits of sub-division.. increase of pressure acCentuates-the normal' 1 e dlSCUSSlOIl #m51 lllillit-I'atlorl are lntondspread in height due tocomparative straighted to show the applicabilit of my combined @ning of the bowed transversesections inv coiispaced contact and outwar y bowed bar sectact with the raiL ,Y a. The portions of contacting surface set out In all 0f 'these forms it will be see'nthat tion to bars of whatever other characteristic It m11 be 'evident that the out'r grfas' "on 'and wherever or 1n whatever relation they ofthe -splice, bars may be flattened slightlyl engage With the mil head and flange 0r the toujeceive the bolt heads and washers as in surfaces of the fillets at the juncture of the Figures 6 and 77 Ormay'be curved intrushead and fiance with the rail web. :verge Outer contour Whatevelt o typo of Contact and howovei 'the' figures, each having advanta es, the llat' C5 I t e spacing of Contact iS effected the SllPPol'i :form increasing the area of the bolt head or 0f the rml head 1S Improve@ by tlaIISWPSo washer iii contact with the splice bar surface Stralghtomllg of tho bill' Seotlon; `'andthe curved form in maintaining sub- In order not to appear to restrict the means f stantjally the same extent of contact without regard to tilting of the splice bar in vertical. 'im

the rail head and rail flange throughoutportransverse p1anes,

i tions of the lengths of the barst() onotypo of Though in'Figures 8., 9-and 10 I have shown bases of t ebars with the head= means, such as might otherwisebe suggestedA the engagement s the Sam@ ty e of to and by the illustrations 1n Figures 1, 3 and. 4 I bottom it will beevident that this isnolt? iiee- BY ShWIlA thlle'v .Well-kllOWn OIIIIS essary as the engagenlenfInay'beA :fh:

which contact of theA head and base of the the top from that at the bottom. ha? #t Intervals only along the length of the' In view of my. invention and disclosure l'll may .be had, Solootlng those thro@ among yvariations and modifications t t d'- quite ,a number of recognized forms because o meee m l Yvidualpreference or particularxi'ieed. will of their simplicity. These are Shown in Fig 'doubtless become evident to others skilled in u? 5 ares 1i',y 18 `and 19 using bars 58fandi15aid ne an, to einem au or pm qf the benefits through oints of contact ofthe'lieadsian'd ture shown, and 'L therefore, claim" all such The portions 'ofthe bars which do not enthus described my invention what-I claim as gage with therail are shown indotted lines. s new and desire to secure by Letters Patent Y It is notintended tosuggest that the conv110,-' v v tacts of the bars. withthe rail at head and Hangeneed be oppositeeachother. .i

`indlang .)f in `so far as lthey fall within the reasonable "5.. l c spirit and scope of my invention. Having 12" im mii ionic, a pairtf' fail heeft pairy I c of splice bars engaging therail ends at inter;v @of oi splice bars engaging .wrvals along the lengths of the splice bars vals along the lengt-hs l having outwardly 'if-'IHS 21ml l'vl hars tightly in positie rails.

joint. ,i pair of rail ends, a bars engaging the rail ends at :engtlis ot the splice bars g outwardly bowed splice. bar web ions anti` bolts holding the splice. ight; in position to engage within ing spacesoi the rails, the bolts being located in cross-sectional line with points of Contact of the splice bars with the rails.

3. 1in a rail joint, :i pair or rail ends, a pair the rail ends at inand having outwardly bowed splice bar web crcnfsscctious and bolt-s holding the splice bars'iightly in position to engage within the fishing spaces ot the rails, the bolts being located as respects the length of the splice bars between points of engagement of the splice bars with the rails. l i. ln a rail joint, a pair oi rail ends, a pair or splice bars engaging the rails within their fishing spaces immediately at the joint, close to he joint and at the ends of the splice l irs and fire-e 'ii-oni engagement therebetween, the splice bers being outwardly bowed in ction and bolts through the splice bars in those portions ot the lengths' of bars free from Contact witlrthe and the si', ien. f1-lli. i

5. Vin e rail joint, a pair of rail ends, a air :ice bars engaging the rails within t eir n," spaces immediately at the joint, close in lolut and at the ends of the splice bars and iree from engagement therebetween, the :salire liars being outwardly bowed in crosssecfion and bolts through the splice bars and rails in those portions of the lengths of the splice bars having engagement with the rails.

i5. ln a. rail joint, a pair of rail ends. a air of transversely outwardly bowed s lice ars having flanges engaging the rai ends at points opposite, top and bottom, and at intervals throughout the lengths of the splice bars and bolt-s tightening the splice bars against the rail heads at points of Contact to :accentuate the pressure at the Contact sections to tend to straighten out the bars against the rail.

T. .in a rail joint, a pair ot transversely outwardly bowed splice ars engaging the rail ends at intervals throughout the lengths of the spllce bars and bolts tightening the splice bars against the rails at intervals of contact to accentuate the pressure at the contact sections to tend to straighten out the bars against the rail, the splice bar making engagement with the fillets between the rail webs and thel heads and iianges of the rails.

8. In a rail joint, a pair of rail ends, a pair of rail ends, a air at top and bottom of transversely outwardly. bowed splice bars engaging the rail ends at intervals throughout the lengths of the splice bars and bolts tightening the splice bars against the rails at intervals of contact to accentuate the pressure at the Contact sections to tend to straighten out the bars against the rail, the splice bar making engagement at top or bottom with the illets between the rail webs and the heads and flanges of the rails and at the other edge with the flanges or webs of the rails.

9. In a rail joint, a pair of rail ends, a )air of transversely outwardly bowed splice ars engaging the rail ends at intervals throughout the lengths of the splice bars and bolts tightening the splice bars against the rails at intervals of Contact to accentuate the pressure at the contact sections to tend to straighten out the bars against the rail, the splice bars having fishing ranges with both the rail heads and the rail flanges.

10. ln a rail joint, a pair of rail ends, a pair of transversely outwardly bowed splice bars engaging the rail ends at `intervals throughout and bolts tightening the splice bars against the rail at longitudinal intervals of Contact to accentuate the pressure at the Contact sections to tend to straighten out the bars against the rails, the splice bars havingr iishing ranges with both the rail heads and the rail flanges initially engaging with a laterally small part onli7 of the. fishing spaces of the'heads and flanges of the rail.

11. ln a rail joint, a pair of rail ends, a pair of transversely outwardly bowed splice bars engaging the rail ends at intervals throughout the lengths of the splice'bars and bolts tightening the splice .bars against the rails at longitudinal intervals of Contact to accentuate the pressure at the Vcontact seotions to tend to straighten out the bars against the rails. the splice bars having ishing ranges with both the rail heads and rail flanges initially engaging with outer parts of the heads and flanges within the fishing space and with pressure increasing the extent of engagement with the heads or/and flanges.

12. In a rail joint, a pair of rail ends, a pair of transversely outwardly bowed splice barsl engaging the rail .ends at intervals throughout the lengths of the splice bars and bolts tightening the splice bars against the rails at longitudinal intervals of contact to accentuate the pressure at the contact sections to, tend to straighten out the bars against the rails, the splice bar engage ments with the rails pivoting within a. rai fillet at one flange of the splice bar and fish ing at the other flange of the bar.

13. In a. rail joint, a pair of rail ends, pair of transversely outwardly bowed splic ars engaging the rail ends at interval throughout the lengths of the splice bars an' the lengths of the splice bars l bolts tightening the splice bars against the rails at longitudinal intervals of contact to accentuate. the pressure at the contact sections to tend to strai hten out the bars D against the rails, the sp ice bar engagements with the rails pivoting within a rail fillet at one flange of each of the splice bars and fishing at the other flanges of the bars, the upper flanges of the splice bars effecting the pivot. 14. In a rail joint, a pair of rail ends, a pair of transversely outwardly bowed splice ars engaging the rail ends at .intervals throughout the lengths of the splice bars and bolts tightening the splice bars against the 1li rails at longitudinal intervals of Contact to accentuate thefpressure at the contact sections to tend to straighten out thebars against the rails, the splice bar engagements with the rails pivoting within a rail fillet at one flange of the splice bar and fishing at the other flange of the bar, the lower flange of the splice bar forming the pivot.

' 15. In a rail joint, a pair of rail ends, a air of transversely outwardly bowed splice Ears engaging the rail ends at intervals throughout the lengths of the splice bars and bolts tightening the splice bars against the rails at' longitudinal lntervals o contact to accentuate the pressure at the contact sections to tend to straighten out the bars against the rails, and the shin flanges of the s lice bars initially engaging ut little with t e rails.

16. In a rail joint, a pair of rail ends, a pair of transversely outwardlybowed splice ars engaging the rail ends at intervals throughout the lengths of the splice bars and bolts tightening the splice bars against the rails at lon 'tudinal intervals of contact t0 40 accentuate t e pressure at the Contact sections to tend to straighten out the bars against the rails, the shing flange of the@ splice bars initially engaging at their outer surfaces with the rails and increasing their engagements Vith transverse straightening of the splice ars.

17. In a rail joint, a pair of rail ends, a air of transversely outwardly bowed splice ars engaging the rail endsh at intervals throughout the lengths of the splice bars and bolts tightening the splice bars against the rails at longitudinal intervals of contact to` accentuate the pressure at the contact sections to tend to straighten out the bars against the rails, the fishing flange of the splice bars initially engaging with the rails t roughout wide ranges Within their fishing spaces.

l ARTHUR B, CLARK. 

